Australia has a lot of countries between it and an aggressive China. But that is no reason for Australia to assume that buffer, if left on its own, will shield Australia as a favor--even if it is within the buffer's capabilities.
This seems like a wise policy for Australia in a dangerous neighborhood in an uncertain world:
Instead of sliding and hedging, our message in the capitals of Asia and the Pacific should be a confident one of strategic solidarity. We should declare that we will stand with our neighbours in the face of Chinese aggression and coercion. This Australian pledge of solidarity should be extended to the following: Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei in Southeast Asia; farther afield to Japan, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, New Zealand and East Timor; the sovereign nations of the Pacific Islands Forum; and possibly others in the Indo-Pacific region. In a carefully couched and suitably adapted form that recognised current Australian policy on its status, the pledge even could be extended to Taiwan.
Although this proposal doesn't include alliance levels of solidarity, it is a web of concern at least. This is very much in line for why I want America to support allies and friends abroad in Europe and Asia:
America tries to keep overseas threats from developing to the point of threatening America at home. ...
So we try to keep Russia as far east as possible where it can't harness the resources of Europe. And we try to keep China penned inside the first island chain by supporting allies there, preventing China from organizing the resources of the western Pacific.
And in many ways, this diplomatic security proposal complements Australian rearmament as a means to being lunge worthy when America decides whether to fight.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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NOTE: Map from Owlcation.
